Journalism Program
2018-2019
Description
The Journalism program encompasses theoretical and practical training in print and online news media, including newspapers and online media, as well as in the field of public relations. This program is designed to prepare students for employment in the fields of print and online media and public relations.
Course offerings include: news writing, reporting, editing, and online journalism. An advanced course devoted to the publication of The Mesa Press (Journalism 210A), San Diego Mesa College’s campus newspaper, allows students to engage in all phases of newspaper production, including news writing, reporting, editing, photography, advertising, design and layout.
Gainful Employment Information
Program Goals
The goals of the Journalism program include the following:
- Preparing students for entry-level jobs in journalism and public relations.
- Preparing students to be media-literate citizens of the local community and beyond.
- Retraining matriculated students to update skills to meet the changing technological and economic demands in the field.
| Award Type | Units |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Achievement | |
| Journalism | 21 |
| Associate of Arts Degree: | |
| Journalism | 21* |
| Associate in Arts for Transfer Degree: | |
| Journalism | 18 |
*and courses to meet graduation requirements, general education and electives as needed to meet the minimum of 60 units required for the degree.
Program Emphasis
The Journalism program emphasizes development of skills in grammar, news writing, reporting, editing, production, and public relations for students interested in gaining employment in the area of mass media.
Career Options
Career options include the following:
- Reporter
- News Editor
- Copy Editor
- Photojournalist
- Page Designer
- Online Content Producer
Public Relations career options include the following:
- Media Relations Specialist
- Speech Writer
- Community Relations Specialist
- Government Relations Specialist
- Financial Relations Specialist
- Lobbyist
- Crisis Communications Specialist
Certificate of Achievement
Journalism
The Certificate of Achievement in Journalism recognizes a student’s successful completion of select Journalism courses for employment, job enhancement or advancement.
| Courses Required for the Major | Units | |
| ENGL 101 | Reading and Composition or | |
| ENGL 105 | Composition and Literature | 3 |
| JOUR 200 | Introduction to Newswriting and Reporting | 3 |
| JOUR 210A | Newspaper Production 1 | 3 |
| JOUR 210B | Newspaper Production 2 | 3 |
| Choose 9 units from the following: | ||
| JOUR 210C | Newspaper Production 3 | 3 |
| JOUR 210D | Newspaper Production 4 | 3 |
| JOUR 202 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3 |
| JOUR 205 | Editing for Print Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 206 | Online Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 215A | Magazine Writing and Production I | 3 |
| Total Units = 21 | ||
Associate of Arts Degree
Journalism
For graduation requirements see Requirements for the Associate Degree.
Electives as needed to meet minimum of 60 units required for the degree.
| Courses Required for the Major | Units | |
| ENGL 101 | Reading and Composition or | |
| ENGL 105 | Composition and Literature | 3 |
| JOUR 200 | Introduction to Newswriting and Reporting | 3 |
| JOUR 210A | Newspaper Production 1 | 3 |
| JOUR 210B | Newspaper Production 2 | 3 |
| Choose nine units from the following: | ||
| JOUR 210C | Newspaper Production 3 | 3 |
| JOUR 210D | Newspaper Production 4 | 3 |
| JOUR 202 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3 |
| JOUR 205 | Editing for Print Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 206 | Online Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 215A | Magazine Writing and Production I | 3 |
| Total Units = 21 | ||
Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer Degree
The Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer Degree is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in Journalism or a related major in the California State University (CSU) system. It is accepted by some but not all CSU campuses. Students who complete this degree and transfer to a participating CSU campus will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree. It may not be appropriate preparation for students transferring to a CSU campus that does not accept the degree.
Goals
The purpose of this Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer Degree program in Journalism is to offer an organized course of study that will prepare students intending to major in Journalism Studies at the California State University.
program Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking:- Students will be able to analyze and weigh the truth-value of conflicting claims.
- Students will be able to synthesize elements of texts in surprising and unexpected ways.
- Students will be able to develop visual literacy to identify arguments for advertisements, websites, photographs and other visual media.
- Students will be able to write clear, thoughtful prose using appropriate steps of a writing process for a variety of media.
- Students will be able to identify arguments as well as patterns and strategies of organization in a variety of texts.
- Students will be able to select appropriate research strategies.
- Students will be able to describe and report using multiple perspectives.
- Students will be able to analyze and report on the effects of different cultural perspectives on classic and contemporary issues.
Students will be assessed through a combination of performance evaluations, written assignments, and written tests and quizzes.
Note: Students who plan to complete this degree should consult a counselor and visit www.assist.org for additional information about participating CSU campuses as well as university admission, degree and transfer requirements.
Award Notes: Students are required to complete a maximum of 60 CSU transferable units with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0.
Major: A minimum of 18 units with grade of C or better.
General Education: In addition to the courses required in the major, students must complete one of the following general education options:
- The California State University General Education Breadth pattern
- The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum pattern
Note: Completion of the California State University American Institutions graduation requirement is strongly recommended prior to transfer.
For graduation requirements see Requirements for the Associate Degree.
Electives as needed to meet minimum of 60 units required for the degree.
| Courses Required for the Major: | Units | |
| JOUR 200 | Introduction to Newswriting and Reporting | 3 |
| JOUR 202 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3 |
| JOUR 210A | Newspaper Production 1 or | |
| JOUR 215A | Magazine Writing and Production I | 3 |
| Category A: Select one of the following courses (3 units): | ||
| JOUR 206 | Online Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 210B | Newspaper Production 2 | 3 |
| JOUR 220 | Principles of Public Relations | 3 |
| Category B: Select two of the following courses, or any course not selected in Category A (6 units): | ||
| ARTF 200 | Photographic Composition and Theory | 3 |
| COMS 135 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| DRAM 150 | Cinema as Art and Communication I | 3 |
| ECON 120 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 121 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ENGL 101 | Reading and Composition | 3 |
| ENGL 105 | Composition and Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 205 | Critical Thinking and Intermediate Composition | 3 |
| JOUR 205 | Editing for Print Journalism | 3 |
| MATH 119 | Elementary Statistics or | |
| PSYC 258 | Behavioral Science Statistics | 3 |
| POLI 101 | Introduction to Political Science | 3 |
| POLI 102 | The American Political System | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | General Psychology or | 3 |
| SOCO 101 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| Total Units = 18 | ||
Transfer Information
Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should complete courses required for the university major and the general education pattern required by that transfer institution. See catalog TRANSFER INFORMATION section. Additional courses may be required to meet university lower-division requirements.
Course requirements at the transfer institution are subject to change and may be verified by a counselor or by consulting the current university catalog. Many Baccalaureate in Arts degrees require third semester competency in a foreign language. Consult the current catalog of the transfer institution and consult with a counselor.